AIRC-Planned Giving: Bequests for Will or Trust - American Indian Relief Council is now Northern Plains Reservation Aid

Bequests for Will or Trust

No other planned gift is as simple to implement and as easy to change. You maintain the use, benefit, enjoyment, and control of your assets for as long as you need them, for as long as you live.

You can include a bequest provision in your will or living trust that specifies an amount or percentage of your estate that you wish American Indian Relief Council to receive.

Benefits:

It does not affect you financially during your lifetime.
You may make adjustments to your will or trust if circumstances change.
Your loved ones will not be overlooked because you can specify the amount given to each party.
A charitable bequest or trust distribution is deductible for federal estate tax purposes. There is no limit on the deduction your estate can claim. The gift may also be exempt from state inheritance taxes.

AIRC Will Process

Here is some sample bequest language that you might use in your will or living trust:

Unrestricted Gift*:

I give, devise, and bequeath to the American Indian Relief Council, Elkwood, VA, the sum of $________ for its general purposes.

Contingency Gift:

In the event that ________ predeceases me, I give, devise, and bequeath his/her bequest or share to the American Indian Relief Council, Elkwood, VA, to be used for its general purposes.

*Note: It may be possible to specify where you would like your bequest to go. Please contact our Planned Giving Department at (877) 853-6474.

In an interview with AIRC, Deborah Lumsden shared her reasons for selecting AIRC to be a bequest in her will.

She had to know that whatever she was doing with whatever time she had left would make a difference and leave a legacy. Connected with that, she realized she cares about the Elders and the kids. She said: "The little ones don't have the direction, and the older ones are ignored."

And it hurt her that: "Elders are rejected and sent off to die alone."

So, she wanted to do something for them.

Question: What do you think is different about us from other nonprofits you know of?

When asked this question, almost immediately Deborah said: "It's the way your mission is. You don't just hand out money; you hand out goods that are earned. When someone gains self-respect and esteem because they've earned something, they gain more hope that they can go forward and do something else and give back the same."

She went on to say: "I have lived a lot of life to bring me to where I am, due to numerous health challenges and continued medical care. I have learned about service, gratitude, patience, acceptance, to face denial and regret, and to rise above it all and be an example to others." Now she feels called to do something. And, she believes that gifts given should continue to be given — so she wants to leave a legacy that will continue giving [after she is gone].

If you have any questions regarding planned giving, please contact our Planned Giving Department at (877) 853-6474. You are also encouraged to consult with your legal and financial advisors when considering a planned gift.

Have questions?

Click here to request more information or visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section!

Compare alternatives with our Planned Giving Options page.

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